Victim called mum after three hours of terror at the hands of rape gang

BLOODIED and distraught after being gang raped for three hours - a young woman made a heartbreaking call to her mum for help.

CLEMENTINE CUNEO, MARK MORRI

DailyTelegraphMarch 5, 201311:26am

Search on for rape suspects0:42

A young woman has been kidnapped and assaulted by a gang of young men in Sydney. SKY News

March 4th 2013

5 years ago

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DUMPED on the side of the road in a quiet suburban street - bloodied and distraught after being gang raped for hours - a young woman made a heartbreaking call to her mum for help.

The 18-year-old was confused and hysterical.

She was snatched about 1am on Sunday off a well-lit street while walking home from a house party at Baulkham Hills in Sydney's north-west and dragged into a car full of men.

Inside the vehicle she was forced to lie across the laps of three back-seat passengers as a "chubby Caucasian male" driver took them to an undisclosed location.

Once there she was repeatedly sexually and physically assaulted by multiple men for up to three hours before they threw her back in the car and dumped her in a Castle Hill street, not far from her home.

"It is horrendous. It doesn't get much worse than this," sex crime squad commander Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said.

The victim's ordeal began soon after she left a friend's house in Merindah Rd, Baulkham Hills, when a green-coloured sedan with a P-plate pulled up beside her. Police said the five men in the vehicle called out to the woman and asked for directions to a local shopping centre.

They asked her to hop into the car and take them there but she refused.

One of the men then jumped out, grabbed the woman and dragged her into the vehicle.

"It's a horrendous incident for anyone to be subjected to," Supt Kerlatec said.

"A young lady walking along the street, regardless of the time of day, regardless of the place, should be able to walk safely."

After calling her mother for help from the side of Waterloo Ave at Castle Hill, the victim was taken to Westmead Hospital, where she spent Sunday being treated for various injuries and being counselled.

Police have obtained some information about the attack but said the woman was so traumatised they were waiting until she was well enough to give a full statement.

However police believe the carload of males had been seen staking out the party earlier in the evening.

They said there was no information yet to suggest the men knew the victim or anyone at the party, describing the attack as "opportunistic".

Supt Kerlatec played down fears the rape gang could strike again but urged women to take extra safety precautions when walking the streets at night.

He advised women to walk with friends, stay in well-lit areas, keep mobile telephones with them and not get close to anyone asking directions.

Police are desperate to speak to anyone who might have seen anything, or who might have seen the vehicle in the Baulkham Hills or Castle Hill areas.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Our reporter Ian Walker follows the terrifying footsteps of the victim. Read more in tomorrow's paper.